Author note: No worries/confusion on the connection between Veronica and Logan. Be patient, promise IT IS coming. We will have a few flash forwards next chapter also. I like to build the electric and that comes with some odds for our love birds. Remember, Veronica has been away, she has no idea of anything that has changed in Logan/that he's being beaten. She has yet to discover he is anything more than a bully. It's part of the fun. These two aspects of the story are coming together. Logan is investigating and piecing it together, and Veronica and team are gearing up to do some hard things like saving the kids stuck in the sex ring she escaped from (that The Man was part of). You will read something at the end, but do not worry over it. It's a set up to get them to Neptune. We love our LoVE and its effect is about to start wreaking havoc! There may or may not be some added interests vying for our Veronica to the darker aspects of where she came from. We will stick to the plot and she will learn a few things that she is not aware of yet, especially about Logan. Logan is going to go through some serious pain. Remember Mac's video? Yeah, that thing that depicts what Logan goes through with his dad that no one is aware of? That is coming into play on top of that. Trust me, you will not be disappointed in how they come together. But I am not giving the journey away more than that. She has a choice to make considering if/when/how she lets people in also. Why do that super-fast? It ruins the story. Remember how rape victims respond to sexuality also. There will be sparks though. And let's let our girl find herself so when it happens it is special. She has to grow into that about herself which I mention some changes in her body toward the end. Right now I am laying the ground work for the return to Neptune, Mac, Weevil and Wallace. School started in mid Aug, so we are now in mid Nov. Flashing forward a bit to help those that feel a little confused by the plot. Next chapter, is a type of fill in to move the time forward. Also to present a road block of sorts. Basically I need to piece together the two parts: for Logan and to bring Veronica back home. After the next chapter, Logan will see Veronica in a way. I'm going to be playful and we will get our sparks. From then on, it gets deep and heartfelt. The rock kind of steps back for the detective we love. Hehe, stay tuned for more on that. Italics here will be flashbacks conversations, no monologue this chapter. I am hoping to knock out two chapters tomorrow so if anything is amiss as spelling and grammar let me know. A pleasant reading experience is what I aim for. I don't promise to be the best. Please let me know right away so I can revise and fix what I will be working on and make sure I have continuity into tomorrow's two chapters. You want to see Veronica and Logan meet up in a way tomorrow?! I will def try :P
Destiny rocks
Ch.8
Back in Neptune…
Logan tapped his finger over his lower lip as he watched Duncan try to fool around with the computer. "Can't you get anything on her?" His friend's hair had grown significantly, and he wondered if he even showered anymore. Hell, why wasn't he more like Mr. Kane? "Maybe its the pills."
Duncan sighed, "I'm not a genius, Logan. This is for someone like Mac…" he trailed off. "A smart person. Anyone you know that you haven't pissed off yet?" He left the pill comment alone.
Logan rolled his eyes and sighed, "Yeah well, I don't think she's coming back." He looked to the ceiling, then around Duncan's room. "What's going on with you mom and dad? As in, why are only one of them here at a time?"
Duncan scrutinized Logan for a moment, and his eyes narrowed and he really took in his friend, "not to bring this up or anything, but uh…she's not your type." Logan noticeably stiffened at the mention of it.
"Stop trying to change the subject. What gives?"
All Duncan said for a while was, "Lily." Duncan thought he heard crickets as the silence went on. "Dads torn up, mom could care less as long as she's remembered as this perfect girl." He made a disgusted face.
It had been two months since Logan had seen Mac and uncovered the book with L.A. on it, and roughly four since school started. Weevil was still heading to trial, Lily was still dead with no evidence or leads on her killer, and Mac was still missing. His only chance at finding her had also gone…missing. If you could call it that.
Veronica was pronounced 'missing' or dead about fifty miles north of Neptune. There was a van that had crashed into a tree. Both the passenger and driver were wearing ski masks, an a knife had been found with Veronica's blood. A few of her belongings were also found in a river close by. What the fuck was going on, he wondered bitterly. People had gone there looking for her, or a body, but no real crime scene was found. As if the Sheriff cared to bother. It didn't add up, Logan pondered silently. Even his dad had put up reward money for information on the girl. It was like she went from being hated to…less hated, but still no one cared. he'd not cared, but he knew differently now. Then the news went on to other things and no one was the wiser. It was too easy and it pissed him off.
Lily deserved more. Veronica...fuck, he thought as he ran a hand through his hair. How easy for her to just go missing after an attack. No, that was a struggle.
Two months, no leads, no body, nothing. She had to know something. Guilt wracked his body day after day. He'd even hiked up there one afternoon when he was supposed to be at school. There was nothing.
Logan moved to the stereo and hit the CD button and watched as the slider came out. He turned, dug into his cd collection and pulled out an underground CD by 'Destiny', and produced by L.A. Granted it was currently not mainstream music at the moment, but it was damn good. It had a collaboration of artist and rockers on it that had every teen in their right mind scouring the internet for a copy. Many in Neptune liked Rock or rap, but club music was the shit right now. He recognized a female rocker called Maria, Guitarist Mark, and drummer Terry from one band, a newer rocker Brent who was a lead for another band, and a new female no one had heard of before. She went by the name Harlequin.
She always wore a freakin' mask too.
He eyed the door, and then Duncan, and hit the play button. The machine gently clicked and sucked in the CD, and a faint pulsing began. He turned and sat by his friend and decided to let him in on the little meeting he'd had with a certain geek a couple of months ago.
"Mac was at the beach house."
Duncan's mouth fell open, but Logan waved him off. "I found her hiding there." He took a long breath in, contemplated whether to tell his friend about Veronica or not, and decided that he had to. "She had video on Veronica…she has something on me…and something that could help Weevil. Fuck man," he said and sat back.
"Veronica is dead," Duncan said in that earth shattering tone. "Why does she have shit to help Weevil?"
"Yeah, there is a long story to this." Logan started and sat down on his friend's bed, "but I think her and Lily are connected to all this shit with Mac and Weevil…"
"Since when do you give a shit about anyone of those people?"
"Hey man keep up with me here," Logan jumped up, "I loved Lily. I'm trying to figure this shit out!"
"And I loved Veronica and Lily!" Duncan yelled while standing and shoving him back. "Their gone. Get over it."
Logan waited on alert until Duncan backed off. "You sure you're 'over it'?"
Duncan moaned, "Why is Mac important. What does she have on you and Veronica?"
"Veronica's attack. She uploaded from my computer, but nothing ever came out. As in on the TV or news. She had people with copies, but," he shrugged at a loss.
"Maybe she was paid to disappear." Duncan watched Logan, "maybe she had more taste-"
"As a prime witness? Or maybe someone has silenced her!" Baffled, Logan just stared wide eyed at Duncan. His robe was a lighter blue, his cotton pants were pajamas and Logan was sure he'd seen them worn not two days ago. He's lost it, Logan surmised.
Yet, he tried again. "I feel bad, ok. You know for bullying her. Man, if you saw what was on the video," he visibly paled and shook himself. "I can't just accept that Lily is dead and no one knows anything. Now, can you get through your dads software or not?"
"Not," he said. The steady trickle of rain slapped against the window and dragged the silence on longer than intended. "He won't use the normal codes for this. Hell, they are probably changed each time they are used."
Logan thought for a moment, and then grabbed the CD case and handed it to Duncan. "Look," he said and pointed out the name L.A. on the credits. He turned away from the computer with sagged shoulders and decided to listen. Duncan took the CD and read it over as Logan placed five more CD covers on the bed.
"You still buy a physical CD?" He said confused.
Logan pointed at him, "you don't shower anymore, so shove it."
Duncan blinked several times and then nodded in defeat, "yeah." After he looked at them, he shook his head not sure what Logan was getting at.
"The songs are written by L.A. There are others, and more recent that are produced by L.A."
"Good for the initialed person? What is all of this?" His hands splayed out and he rolled his desk chair closer. "Oh, well all of them are from the bands as the first CD. Well, not these two."
Logan tossed a journal on the bed next and pointed to it, "Mac had this on her before she took off. The words are the same as the CD now playing. I find that a little odd." He opened to the very rough version of the same lyrics being played. He noted the date, and Duncan was surprised.
Logan opted for, "You seeing what I am seeing here?"
"What are you saying?" Duncan asked and sat up further. "A death metal band had something to do with Mac going missing? And now a bunch of them are making club music for the hell of it?"
"This group is gonna play here in two months." Logan stood and went to a window as the rain died down. "Something is off." He shook his head without being able to figure it out, "something really weird is going on."
A swift kick to the leg jarred Veronica awake as their bus came to a slow stop. "What the hell man?"
Terry grunted at her, "get up, we are here." He wore a vest without a shirt and leather pants. Real unnoticeable, she thought mildly.
She stood and glared at him, "A simple 'hey wake up' would work wonders for your attitude." Her head did a little shake at attitude.
"Goldie Locks-" He began when she cut him off.
"Fuck you." She shoved him back for measure.
Mark rose a brow, noting the change in both Veronica and Terry the last few days. Terry never let anyone touch him. He was a closet Dom, Mark was sure of it. The gear Maria sported in her area only confirmed as much. The woman wore a collar at times.
"We talked about this you little shit!" Though Terry was being mostly serious, he loved to see Veronica all riled up. He got her middle finger as a response. He simply shook his head and waved her off.
Mark tried to suppress a grin, "Fits right in with us now."
"Shut up, locks." Terry flung one of Marks several dread locks aside as if it had fleas on it.
Veronica smiled at the banter behind her, but approached Maria who was closer to the front. "Them boys need to get laid. They're all prissy."
Maria wiped at her tired eyes, "like brothers." Then she sat up, "Did you just make a sex joke?" She feigned shock, "my, my little-" she started in a southern accent that failed miserably.
Veronica held her off with a death glare, "what's little?"
"Not a thing," Maria waved her off. Veronica passed her and began hunting for something. Maria turned and gave Terry a 'fuck if I know' glance.
The hotel was a welcome change from the single bus they all now inhabited. "OH! Don't forget your disguise."
Veronica was already mid-way sliding on her wig and mask. It seemed she was always the Harlequin now and that was fine by her. There'd been a mark change in her attitude lately, and she didn't take shit from anyone anymore. The nickname kitten was long gone, also. Despite that, she'd made a great improvement, and got along with everyone as long as she had some space.
Terry was a bit unsure about her ease into a violent temperament, however.
As first off the bus, Veronica sighed pleasantly as she breathed in. Sure it smelled like burnt rubber and gas, but too long in A/C in such small quarters made one feel like a shower was in order. As they unloaded their bags, she thought over the last few months and just how fricking lucky she'd been to make it this far.
All four of them stood by her bed as she woke up alive, rather than dead, as she'd expected. Maria's sad face as she bent over and explained the severity of what happened to her that night a few weeks ago still etched in her minds eye. Apparently, Veronica had come to realize she'd been in and out as they'd moved her. She'd asked Maria to explain further, but Terry had insisted they talk in private.
Veronica grunted as she picked up the bags and moved with the others and their body guards to the penthouse. Her hand held a bag strap close to the scar that now lined her chest, but she only smiled secretly at that.
Fate had been on her side this time.
You were stabbed in the heart, Terry said. Then he'd laughed. We took you so that they'd assume you were dead. We didn't get info on them kid, but we hope that some will think that the other got rid of you. The van was found crashed half a mile up the road crashed into a tree. Maria and Brent brought her some place safe, he'd said, while he and Mark had to work fast.
Veronica had wondered many times how they knew to do what they did.
The people were dead, and the ambulance was too close in proximity to wait and look at who they were. They noticed smoke, and had to work fast. We left traces of blood, urine, and clothes near a river, Terry told her. We took clothes off you to see how bad it was, sorry. But we used it near the van and in the river. They also torched it to cover their tracks on the paint. They left the knife with her blood on it. Terry knew a guy to fix the rental, and it was returned. Now it was a waiting game. The fun part, he'd said, was that they'd gotten the car with fake credentials. People would assume she was hurt, tried to run, and went to the river and drowned. The masked men still wore their dark attire and masks-both he and the driver. The rest was not traceable to them. Who would suspect rockers who didn't even look the way they normally did?
Yeah that had been really hard to stomach, as she thought back. Why did the men crash though?
Mark had blown a tire out on the van when he'd hit them. Of all the luck, he'd said. Veronica remembered thinking that her dad must be watching over her. It renewed her drive to get the rest of those kids out. Despite her fear, the simple rage that the last ecounter had changed her. Terry had also told her she needed to trust them. That they were on her side.
The weirdest part in all of it? Her scar.
There is no way I am alive, she'd remembered saying. Terry had told her that Maria and Brent took her to a friend and avoided the hospital. She remembered trying to figure out how he and Mark had gotten back, but didn't bother to ask. She was too stunned. After a simple X-Ray, all was revealed. Everyone had been shocked, but relaxed too. Due to dextrocardia situs inversus, she'd lived. There was no heart where her attacker struck. It explained why she'd lived through many of the other vicious things 'The Man' had done to her. No one was the wiser, and his doctor friend, who'd grown up on the streets with him and become a doctor, had helped them at a clinic after no record of her at a hospital, it was easy to figure she was missing or dead.
I could have died, she thought almost second guessing what they'd done. Clothes, blood, piss. Damn.
Terry had told her, that if they went to the hospital, she was likely to be killed, and Mark had made the call to avoid it. After that, she'd needed some alone time, and been preached to for hours about a new name, social, and the works. All fo it was illegal, but she'd accepted it as temporary only. Finally, Mark had convinced her to let them try. He'd told her a few dark tales of his own life; things that both mirrored the others she wanted to fight for, and her own experience. It was odd to see him not taunt her, but the seriousness and the gravity of it all hit her like a mac truck.
Mac, where are you?
The door clicked open and brought Veronica back to herself. Everyone piled in, tossed their tired bodies on the couch. This was a mini tour of sorts. It had been grueling, but they needed cash and fast. For tonight though each went about forgetting that they'd been hauling around for almost two months going underground with a few CD singles. Record, move, concert, move, record, concert.
They money was racking in, however, Veronica found little happiness in it. She was ready to strike.
After everyone was settled in, she sat on the balcony of the penthouse, just enjoying the brisk cool breeze. Well, as much as she could in a wig or mask for that matter. Maria knocked gently on the glass door, and Veronica waved her out. She said, "You ok?"
"As fine as I ever have been since all of this." Veronica sipped from her water bottle and placed it back on the small table. It was iron with an intricate design and a glass top. Her dad would have liked it, she thought to herself.
Maria smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "You miss them."
It was a statement, of course. "Sure I do, but they are gone. Nothing will fix that."
"No, but we are going to fix the rest." She sat on the ground and put her head on Veronica's hip. "We will get the kids out, and all this money will be to set them up for success. You aren't alone anymore, but we have to be careful. Once we can get into the little contraption of an account you made with Mac, even better? We will get the rest of your money to you."
"I know." She pulled out her phone, and typed in an IP address that took her to a specific link that Mac had told her about in case either one of them ever had to 'get lost'.
Gently, Maria asked, "Has she responded?"
Veronica held her tongue. There were files uploaded to the FTP that linked from the web page, but she'd yet to open any. Mac certainly would have hacked them and put encryption on everything. "Not on her own. She will when she can."
"I want this show to go down, Maria."
"I know," the woman responded. "I'm worried though. Why so soon? You've just barely stretched your claws."
Without a hint of subtly she said, "The Bitch is back. I'm done being a victim. Or the victim, Maria. They will pay, and when I am done, I am going to walk back into that school, and I will hold my head up high richer than the rich, stronger than the strong, and with vendetta to match it. Those kids will be safe. I'll make sure of it."
"Of course you will. What about your talent, and your life? What about love?" She asked curiously.
Veronica tapped Maria's shoulder and began to stand, "What of it?"
Maria started, "you can't just-"
"Don't presume to tell me what I can and can't do. I can't love." She looked away, "there is no point in letting anyone in. It is like you said. I can't even deal with it."
"Maybe Terry can help?"
Veronica had a hand on the sliding door, but she stilled. "I am not going to be tied up. Ever. Again."
Maria added, "Maybe you need to do the tying, sweet Puma."
Veronica stared at her a moment, not sure of what to make of that comment, but she slide the door shut just as Maria took her seat.
Ok, that was weird, Veronica thought as she walked back to her room. Maria had been…odd lately. She walked into the bathroom and carefully closed the door. Even from there, she could hear Mark, Brent, and Terry yelling over video games.
Men, she chided.
A bath seems like a good idea, she thought as she rolled her shoulders. A moment later, the water came on and Veronica added bubbles. Yeah, this is so not me anymore. She stood there for a moment taking in the necklace Maria had given her for a faux birthday they'd all chipped in for right after her not so critical recovery. Without looking at her reflection, she took off the wig and the mask and set them aside with a happy sigh.
Of course, it was a puma head, encircled in a loop, with a claw hanging from it like a charm.
She let her fingers fondle the 14 karat gold piece and almost wished it was a phoenix. Despite the Harlequin she was now named for, she saw herself more like the phoenix that Maria had explained so long ago now. She'd burn everything away once the ring was done, the corrupt punish, and the kids free.
The mask was new, given by Terry as he'd explained the basics of a plan they were going to set in motion. Mark had given her a guitar of her own, and Brent have her a keyboard with more buttons than she cared to count. Oh, and sheet music. Apparently, he still wanted what he was owed.
One thing missing from everything? Her beloved DSLR camera.
"Not like I almost got killed," she said aloud to herself. All she could remember was the choking part. What an odd twist if events though, she considered. Why had her parents never told her about her condition? Did they know? The new joke was that she had no heart, and that was perfectly fine with her. It was broken, no point in fixing something that tarred.
Still, Maria pressed her on the subject. Brent always looked at her funny, too.
Better not to be picky about the small things, she scolded herself. I'll talk to Terry about Maria in the morning, she figured and stopped all her thoughts.
Putting the world away, Veronica sunk into the tub and closed her eyes. The perfect song came to her lips as the tone rushed over her.
She thought:
I am a fighter of worth…
I can be a survivor
I will crawl from the earth
Flesh ripped off my skin
And I will raise from this hole
That you buried me in
Repressed with a black heart
I'm on fire
This beautiful monster
You are now my sire
Beauty in hate
I will not rest
Till it's your dreadful heart I've ate
She snorted and shivered as the water rippled from her small giggles. Yeah, this is depicting some darkness, she thought with mild interest. Her body grew colder after a minute, and she took in her wrinkled fingers, her larger breasts and thicker skin. Food and filling out had done her real good. I need to live, she thought suddenly and sat up from her resting place in the tub. The trip back to hell-er home- was two months away. It would fly by, and this chance may escape her.
Quickly, Veronica dried off and dressed as quickly as she could and sought out a pen and paper. I am going to do every last fucking thing I have ever wanted to do before I go back, she thought almost wildly. Granted she knew the others were going to help, but the chances of pulling this off were still slim.
Bucket/to do List:
Get new Nikon camera, recording cams, memory sticks, backpack, and sling bag
Get a hold of Mac for Christ sake/ watch videos, get news people in on it?
Ride a wave-beach-wave runner-water ski
Swim with sharks/haven't I done this already?
Sky dive=at day and at night
Climb a cliff, ski, ride a helicopter, drive a fast car, and motorcycle
Get kids out of hell
Set up funds, get house, and…shit what am I supposed to do?
Expose fuck tards that ruined my life, and killed mom and dad. HARD EVIDENCE (c'mon Mac)
Bring on the heat to Logan, Dick, and Madison and make their lives like the hell mine was.